.
Grave Proclamation
"Yamanouchi? I wonder what they want this time," Kim ponderously said, as she and Ron made their way towards the secret ninja school.
"Probably to compliment me on my totally awesome mastery of Mystical Monkey Powers! Booyah!" Ron exclaimed.
"Monkey Powers, uh huh," Rufus said, nodding.
"So not, Ron. Besides, you haven't mastered them. Not by a long shot," Kim replied, grinning at her boyfriend.
"I disagree. Did you not see my totally awesome monkey skills? I knocked those aliens right into orbit!" Ron exclaimed.
"Can you summon them whenever you want?" Kim challenged.
Ron paused, blinking blankly, then recovered himself and waved it off. "Petty details KP. I'm workin' on it."
"Work on," Kim teased as they walked behind the waterfall and came into view of the school.
Approaching the entrance, they saw two figures waiting patiently for them. Ron instantly lit up, grinning widely. "Yori! What up?!" he called, waving and hurrying ahead. Kim frowned and followed him closely.
"Stoppable-san! Thank you for coming on such short notice," Yori said, giggling.
Kim looked at the second figure curiously. He looked familiar... Gasping, her eyes widened. "Hirotaka? No way!" she exclaimed.
"Kim Possible, it has been some time," Hirotaka greeted, smiling and bowing to her. "Have you continued with your Mantis training?"
"Oh, you know me. Always improving. No big," Kim said, waving it off.
"Excellent. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to spar once again during your visit," he said to her with a suggestive wink. Kim grinned, flushing a little. The guy was a total player - and Bonnie? Seriously? - but let no one say he wasn't smooth.
"Hey, whoa, ok, there'll be no sparring until Sensei says we all spar, right Yori?" Ron said, quickly butting in.
Yori giggled. "Oh Stoppable-san, you and your American style jokes. Not at all. We may spar whenever we wish to as long as it does not interfere with our classes," Yori replied, missing the hint. Ron deflated. "In fact, if you wish, you and I may spar tonight," she added. Instantly he perked up again, grinning.
Kim blinked blankly then grinned as well. "We'll make it a foursome then! Right Ron?"
"Hey, no harm no foul KP. You and Hirotaka go ahead and do your thing," Ron said, smiling at Yori.
"Ron!" she shot.
"What?! Oh, I mean right! Foursome. Totally," Ron quickly covered, grinning sheepishly.
"Then it is a date," Hirotaka said.
"No! No dating!" Ron quickly said, grin vanishing
"Ron," Kim hissed. "He doesn't mean that kind of date."
"Oh. Well in that case sure!" Ron covered, grinning at Hirotaka a bit sheepishly.
"I look forward to it then," Hirotaka said. "For now though, Sensei requires our immediate presence."
"Spankin'," Kim replied.
"What means this spankin'?" Hirotaka questioned.
"Oh, uh, you know. Cool. Sure thing. Right on?" she replied. He looked completely lost. "Never mind," she said with an embarrassed frown, making a mental note to try and cut back on the slang while she was here. "So, Sensei."
"Of course. Follow me," Hirotaka said with a smile, turning and beckoning for the others to follow. "Yori has told me much about you, Stoppable-san, but we have not yet been formally introduced. I am Hirotaka," he said to Ron, smiling.
"And I'm Ron Stoppable. Boyfriend to Kim Possible, warrior hero, and guy who weeded out a traitor in your school; ah booyah," Ron proudly said.
"I know. It was all anyone talked about upon my return," Hirotaka replied, a slightly cold glint flickering in his eye.
"Really? That's awesome!" Ron replied. "I mean Fukushima was a real piece of work. What was his deal anyway?"
Hirotaka's cheek twitched ever so slightly, his jaw clenching a little. "He had many 'deals', as you say," he answered.
"Really? You knew him?" Ron asked.
"Stoppable-san, please. We do not speak of Fukushima here anymore," Yori solemnly said.
"Ooh. That bad huh? Sorry," Ron said, dropping the subject.
"What did he even do?" Kim asked.
"Betrayed the location of an ancient and powerful relic to Monkey Fist," Ron answered.
"Ouch," Kim said, grimacing. She let the subject drop.
KP
Sensei stood in the yard observing the ninjas at their training. As Hirotaka and Yori approached, their honored guests in tow, he looked in their direction and nodded in acknowledgement. Turning back to the practicing students, he clapped his hands twice. They stopped in place, looking curiously at him and waiting for further direction. "That will be all. Assemble in the main hall and await my arrival," he commanded. The ninjas bowed, threw down their smoke pellets, and vanished. Turning to greet Kim, Ron, Yori, and Hirotaka, he smiled. "Stoppable-san, Possible-san, it is good to see you once again."
"Pleasure as always Sensei," Ron said, clapping the man on the back. Before anyone could blink, Hirotaka had seized his wrist and was bending it dangerously backwards. "Ow!" Ron cried. "What'd I do, what'd I do?!"
Hirotaka let him go quickly. "Forgive me Stoppable-san. It was instinct," he said.
"Owie," Ron complained, holding his wrist.
"Hey!" Rufus shot poking up his head and frowning at Hirotaka. Harrumphing, the little rodent looked worriedly at his master and chattered at him, patting his wrist comfortingly.
Kim winced. "Sorry Sensei. Ron can get a little carried away. We're honored to be here again."
"The honor is ours, Possible-san," Sensei answered, bowing. "Unfortunately, we have not called you for a pleasurable visit."
"Aww, I knew this was too good to be true," Ron complained.
"What's the sitch?" Kim asked, entering mission mode.
"Monkey Fist has returned," Sensei plainly answered. Kim and Ron gasped, paling.
KP
"What?!" Ron demanded, first to snap out of the shock. "But-but how can that be? We watched him take the long dirt nap! Literally!"
"Uh huh, uh huh," Rufus agreed, nodding his head. He made a cutting motion across his neck then stuck out his tongue, letting his head fall limply to the side.
"You watched him become entombed in stone," Hirotaka corrected.
"Like I said dude. Finito," Ron replied.
"Ron's right. There's no way Monkey Fist got out of that one!" Kim agreed, equally stunned.
"Not alone," Sensei confirmed.
"What do you mean?" Kim asked.
"There were others who came to his aid," Sensei said.
"Well who?!" Ron demanded.
"I am afraid I do not know," Sensei admitted.
"About a month ago I heard the sound of explosions coming from the other side of the mountain. At the time I presumed it was miners. Now I am not so sure," Hirotaka said. He bowed deeply to Sensei. "My apologies, Master Sensei. I should have reported the matter immediately."
"You could not have known it was anything else, Hirotaka," Yori said, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
"Explosions? That's weird," Ron said, holding his chin ponderously.
"Many of them. Small and rapid," Hirotaka confirmed.
"Small, rapid explosions? But who has..." Kim began before starting, eyes widening along with Ron's. Gasping, the two looked at each other.
"Duff Killigan!" they exclaimed together, pointing.
"Kill again? What do you mean?" Hirotaka questioned.
"No, see, the guy's name is Killigan. Hey, I just realized something! It really does sound like 'kill again'! Huh. Wonder who he killed first," Ron mused aloud.
Kim face-palmed, shaking her head, then looked back up at Ron. "But how could Killigan have even known where to look, and why would he have bothered? It's not like they were friends!"
"This 'Killigan' was not the only one I sensed that day. I do not know who the other was, but the jungle was thrown off balance by his presence. In its midst a foreign plant rose up, One that reacted to the commands of an unknown master," Sensei said.
"A foreign plant?" Ron said, confused. He looked worriedly at Kim. "You don't think...?" he began before trailing off.
"Drakken," Kim said, eyes narrowing. She looked to Sensei once more. "Sensei, are you sure there were only two?"
"Not long after I felt Monkey Fist's revival, I sensed the presences of two others. One who came with many different creatures of mixed and unnatural origin, and another who radiated such intense energy that I could hardly comprehend it," Sensei confessed. He shuddered ever so slightly at the memory.
"DNAmy and Shego?!" Ron exclaimed. "Man, when did all of this start happening?"
"I cannot answer that, young heroes. I am only a man," Sensei replied. "Regardless, the others are not of our concern. Only Monkey Fist."
"What happened?" Kim determinedly asked.
"Once again he attempted to steal the Lotus Blade," Sensei said.
"The what?" Kim dryly asked.
"Yeah, you know that ancient and powerful relic I mentioned? It was that. Long story," Ron replied. He leaned in towards her. "I'll fill you in later," he whispered.
Kim nodded in agreement and looked to Sensei once more. "So, what do you need us to do?" she asked determinedly.
"Come with me and I will inform you and all my ninjas of the steps we now must take," Sensei said.
"Lead the way, Sensei," Kim agreed. Sensei nodded and turned, accompanying them into the school.
KP
Sensei stood before the assembled ninjas, quieting them down. "This is not good," Hirotaka said, taking in the audience.
"What isn't?" Kim asked.
"They are graduates. Every one of them. Some of them years out," Hirotaka said.
"What does that mean?" Kim asked.
"It means there is no one here under the age of eighteen, and Master Sensei would prefer to not even have anyone under twenty present. You, Stoppable-san, and Yori are special cases," Hirotaka said.
"Adult only. That's reassuring," Kim dryly said. Hirotaka gravely nodded.
"Graduates of Yamanouchi, for some time now I have been anticipating this infiltration of our sacred school. Since the moment the monkey lord was revived, I knew this day would come. I did not set you upon him back then, for I perceived there were others with him. Others whose power, along with his, created a challenge so great that I did not dare to send any in pursuit of them," Sensei said. "Now he is alone, and he has crossed into Yamanouchi's domain for the last time."
"I do not like the sound of this," Yori murmured to the other three.
"My command is a grave and difficult one. One that I know will not be pleasing to everyone," he answered. His eyes fell on Yori in particular, though, and she swallowed nervously, mouth feeling suddenly very dry. Sensei looked away from her to address the rest. "Though Monkey Fist was freed from his stone prison, the curse of the Yono remained bound to him. Yono knows his prisoner has escaped. He is not amused. Lord Monkey Fist has neither proven himself to it nor been deemed worthy of a second chance. For this reason, Yono will pursue him to the ends of the Earth. There is nowhere he can run, nowhere he can hide, and he has become desperate. He will stop at nothing to break away... It is my deepest fear that he has found, within his scrolls, a way to set himself free. How I do not know, but I suspect that to be released from the Yono's path, he will need to pass the curse on to another."
"But he can't, right?" Ron asked, alarmed at the prospect. It was no secret how passionately Monkey Fist hated him.
Sensei looked gravely at the boy. "I only wish I knew, Stoppable-san."
"Oh, this very bad," Ron said, slumping back.
"You think he'll come after Ron, don't you?" Kim asked, eyes filled with uncertainty as she looked worriedly at her boyfriend, who was now pale as ash. Gently, reassuringly, she took his hand. Deep down, though, she knew it was more to assure herself than him. Sensing her concern, he offered her a weak smile and softly squeezed her hand in an attempt to make her feel better.
"It is a possibility," Sensei admitted. "Unfortunately, I believe his target encompasses a much larger number."
Yori sat bolt upright. "Sensei, you do not mean…" she began.
"I suspect he is targeting our very own Yamanouchi," Sensei gravely confirmed.
"Thank goodness," Kim said with a relieved sigh. Then she realized what had just been said. "Wait, what?!" she quickly exclaimed.
"Monkey Fist desires freedom. To be released from the curse upon him," Sensei stated. "He will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. With the Lotus Blade's power in his hands, he will be able to fend off the Yono long enough to discover how he may break free of his curse. Or worse yet, transfer it. For this reason, Stoppable-san, you must take the blade into your possession and defend it with your very life." Ron swallowed nervously. Sensei looked slowly around the room. "Monkey Fist is no longer hiding in the shadows. His very life hangs in the balance, and if something is not done to stop him, Yamanouchi will fall without question. Therefore… therefore I declare us to be at war with Lord Montgomery Fiske."
KP
The ninjas immediately began to whisper worriedly amongst themselves. Kim, Ron, Hirotaka, and Yori stared at Sensei dumbfounded. "Sensei, is he not just as entitled to live as anyone else?" Yori blurted gracelessly before she could even think to stop herself.
The other ninjas fell silent, looking at her in shock, then at their master. Sensei stared at the girl gravely. He had expected as much from her. Her mercy was so great and her honor so deeply entrenched that how could he even begin to explain this in a way she would understand? For that matter, how could he explain it to any of them without sounding like a hypocrite himself? "Everyone is entitled to live, child; but would you sacrifice the lives of many brave and honorable warriors in order to save just one who is not? One whose heart is twisted within him, disposed to wickedness, treachery, power, and nothing else. Would you sacrifice the world?"
She looked down, visibly upset. "So then it is good if hundreds die for a single warrior but wicked if they die for a thief?" she asked, voice strained.
"We do not speak of warriors and thieves. We speak of heroes and villains," Sensei answered.
"Is it not the same principal?!" Yori demanded, looking up at him pleadingly.
Sensei sighed, bowing his head and closing his eyes. After a moment, he looked up at her once more. "There is an old Japanese proverb. 'To forgive the unrepentant is like making pictures on water.' I understand it is hard to accept, but if Monkey Fist lives, Yamanouchi will die. Would you sacrifice the school or the world by refusing to do what is necessary?"
"How can you claim to know that either the school or the world will fall?" Yori questioned.
"I cannot," he confessed. "One can never truly know the outcome of anything; but will you take the risk? Regardless of whether or not you believe this is honorable, honor must be thrown to the wind in order to be rid of one who has none. Monkey Fist must die." Yori caught her breath, the students gasped in disbelief, and Kim, Ron, and Rufus' jaws dropped in shock and horror. It was the first time the Sensei had said those words so directly... A solemn hush fell over the room and Sensei waited a moment more before continuing. "The moment he is caught, he must be captured and executed. I truly wish there was another way, but we cannot afford to make exceptions in the case of Lord Fiske. When all is said and done, it will be him or it will be us." Yori, Ron, and Kim's hearts plummeted. Hirotaka could not be read...
KP
The ninjas left silently one by one until only Sensei, Hirotaka, Yori, Kim, and Ron remained. After a moment, Ron stood and reached down for an obviously distressed Kim. She looked at his hand then took it, smiling weakly and allowing him to help her rise. Hirotaka was already up, staring out a window troubled. He glanced back at the others and spotted his sister still sitting on the ground, shaken to the core. Sighing deeply, he went to her and knelt, taking her arms and gently raising her up. She looked into his eyes, so solemn but so comforting, and felt her mouth quiver. Sniffing, she held him tightly and buried her face in his chest. He held her close and protectively.
"So are they an item?" Ron asked Sensei quietly.
Sensei chuckled softly. "No. They are brother and sister."
"Oh, see that explains a lot," Ron stated.
"Oh yeah," Rufus agreed.
"Please, Stoppable and Possible-san, make yourselves at home in Yamanouchi. Tomorrow we begin to prepare. Tomorrow night we go forth to seek the monkey lord," Sensei sympathetically said. He knew how deeply his words had troubled their hearts.
"Thank you Sensei," Kim replied distractedly, still trying to wrap her head around what she had heard.
Ron tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer. She closed her eyes, leaning against him. This was tearing her apart he knew. It was doing the same to him. They had seen Monkey Fist destroyed once before. It had hurt. Badly. Kim most of all. More than she had cared to admit. People didn't die during her missions, they just didn't. They were never supposed to! KP had never wished death on anyone. They knew that Monkey Fist's demise hadn't directly been their faults, but that they'd played a part in it at all was bad enough. Personally he had cursed his role in that nightmare every day since. Kim though... It had crushed her to know there was nothing she could have done to save him. Anything was supposed to be possible for a Possible! Then suddenly it wasn't...
When his powers had come to light in the battle against Warmonga and Warhok, when the monkey figures had raced through the wind and aura wiping out their enemies, Monkey Fist had been all that was on their minds aside from one another. They'd seen him in their memories amongst the simian apparitions, and in that moment Ron conceded that Monkey Fist had been far more worthy of the title of Ultimate Monkey Master than he could ever be. In every way the man had been had been superior to him when it came to their shared abilities. The nobleman's knowledge and understanding of MMP, its history, and its potential had been beyond Ron's comprehension! Seriously! He still didn't even see the difference between an ape and a monkey! They were one and the same in his books. Sure, Monkey Fist could never have been allowed to bring his own powers to light, but fact was fact. It was fact, wasn't it?
Now here they were. Called to Yamanouchi and informed that Monkey Fist was alive only to be told moments later that he needed to be killed for real this time, and that they would play a very direct role in it. Killing wasn't something they did, it wasn't something they'd ever wanted to do, but what if Sensei was right... What if the only choice they had anymore was between Monkey Fist or the entirety of Yamanouchi? Why should the school, maybe even the world, be conquered and possibly destroyed just to spare the life of someone who was already supposed to be history? Kim straightened up, eyes narrowing in determination, and Ron breathed a sigh. She'd come to the same conclusion... They would help. They wouldn't like it, but they would help. Neither of them intended to be the ones to deliver the death blow though, that was for sure.
"Come on KP," Ron murmured quietly. Kim nodded and left the room without a word, fists balled in frustration. Ron followed her with Yori and Hirotaka in tow.